Exclusive: Amy Smilovic on Tibi's New Nail Collection

We can't help but swoon whenever we see a new Tibi collection strut down the runway, but at the label's 2013 fall/winter show there was something else to get excited about: the nails.

In a first for the brand, Tibi has partnered with famed manicurist Jin Soon Choi (who released her own line of polishes last year), to create a six-piece collection of nail varnishes available next month. "When deciding on nail colors for our fall 2013 runway show, I wanted to create a custom polish to match the collection," explained Tibi's founder and creative director Amy Smilovic. "I've been a longtime fan of Jin's work, and I wanted to collaborate on a collection of polishes that reflected the utilitarian and layering aspects of the fall/winter show."

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Comprised of fall-worthy hues such as olive green, deep berry red, a midnight-sky navy, sparkling charcoal and a shimmering black, the collection also includes a matte topcoat—a first for Choi. "Before I spoke with Tibi I had a clear vision, I wanted sparkles," revealed Choi. "But after looking at the collection and chatting with Amy, we decided we wanted something more modern. Just like the clothes in Amy's collection, the matte polish is designed to be layered over rich colors, just like Tibi's clothes. We wanted the colors to embody utilitarian chic—edgy, but still sophisticated."

With names derived from minerals, the polishes take on a shimmering hue when worn alone, and a deep textured feel when paired with the matte topcoat. "I love the matte effect," says Smilovic. "It's something new and different, a visual combination of depth and texture."